AGE RESTRICTIONS
Age cut-off dates are mandated by PONY National and are not at the discretion of South Bay PONY to determine. It has long been the policy of SBP to prohibit age play-ups or play-downs during Spring play, as it is viewed as not being the best interest of the player's development.
For the upcoming Spring 2023 season, SBP is allowing players born from May 1 to August 31 to request to "play up" one level, so they can remain with the age group in which they have been a playing. To request to play up, please email [email protected].
There is a Detailed Chart with all of the Divisions and corresponding Birth Dates on the Spring Divisions Summary page.
PONY DIVISION RULES
PONY Baseball play shall be governed first by the Official Rules of Major League Baseball, completely revised, as released through the office of the commissioner of baseball. With only those exceptions which are necessary in a youth program as listed in the most current Official PONY Baseball Rules and Regulations book (visit pony.org for details). With further exceptions as noted here in the South Bay PONY Specific Playing Rules on the southbaypony.com website. Please visit the Division specific pages in the Coached Corner for more details.
BASE DIMENSIONS
The base dimensions for South Bay Pony Baseball, as set forth by PONY National, are as follows.
50-foot bases for Shetland (4-6 year olds)
60-foot bases for Pinto (7-8 year-olds)
60-foot bases for Mustang (9-10 year-olds)
70-foot bases for Bronco (11-12 year-olds)
80-foot bases for Pony (13-14 year-olds)
These base dimensions are the result of extensive experimentation to determine the size on which players of each age group can properly play the game of baseball. Pitching distance is also scaled to the ability of the player in proportion to the size of the diamond. The scaled down diamonds allow the players to make the plays made by the major leaguers. Outfielders can play in a position proportionately equal to that played by a major leaguer, and the double play, squeeze play, and various strategy tactics, difficult for adults and nearly impossible for youngsters on a full size diamond, become a probability rather than impossibility.
GAME POLICY
League registration fees do not guarantee a set number of games or practices. Issues outside the control of South Bay Pony, such as weather (rain, etc) and field availability (from the city), may impact the total number of games played. We will do our best to reschedule any games that are canceled, but games are not guaranteed.
Each division has a set regular season schedule and some divisions have a post season schedule. We will attempt to play all games scheduled.
Coaches must communicate with the league (via their Division Commissioner) and the coach of the opposing team about any schedule changes, conlficts, or other innability to play games.
ALL STAR POLICY
South Bay PONY Baseball sponsors All-Star teams for participation in various PONY sanctioned and other postseason tournaments. South Bay Pony offers All Stars for all divisions from Shetland National to Bronco, with some differences between each division due to player age, skill level, division size, and post season opportunities available.
The Players will be selected by the Team Coaches and the Division Commissioner for each Division, according to policies outlined on the South Bay PONY All Star Policy page.
If selected, the player must commit to all practices and games for their team, which typically run from late May to mid July (for most age groups) or even early August (for the oldest age groups). The player must also commit to the additional costs and fees related to the All Star team. Details of the commitment and fees will be provided by the Team Coaches before the team is finalized.
The All-Star season is intended to supplement the regular season, and is not intended to diminish the primary importance of the regular season.
Please see the detailed policy on the South Bay PONY All Star Policy page.
FUNDRAISERS
It costs more money for each player to participate in South Bay PONY than we charge in Registration Fees. We do our best to keep the registration fees as low as possible in order to allow as many children as possible to participate. The additional costs are offset by Donations, Snack Stand profits, and League Fundraisers. We ask all members of South Bay PONY to participate in League Fundraisers in any way that they can.
REFUNDS
During the Registration Period, Registration Fees are fully refundable minus a $50 processing fee.
After Registration Closes, Registration Fees are non-refundable. At that time we order equipment, order uniforms, start forming teams, and begin many of the logistical tasks that are necessary to get the season started on time.